Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of the new Cordis coronary stent in the Chinese population.Patients A total of 32 patients recieved 34 Cordis stents (target lesions of 32) from July to December 1995 in our hospital. Vessel distribution was 18 LAD (53%), 8 Lcx (23.5%) and 8 RCA (23.5%).Methods All cases were studies retrospectively. The coronary lesions were predilated with standard balloon angioplasty followed by implantation of Cordis stents. The reference diameter of the vessels and the minimal luminal diameters (both before and after stent implantation) were measured by quantitative angiography. All patients were followed up at mean peroid of 3 months with regards to their symptoms and angiographic follow-up at 6 month's time were carried out in 8 patients.Results Delivery success was achieved in all lesions except 1 unsuccessful delivery due to failure to negotiate an acute angle of a left main vessel to LAD. Average MLD post stenting was satisfactory (0.53±0.36 mm vs 3.32±0.34 mm) compared to reference diameter of 3.13±0.4 mm. There was 1 patient with complication of subacute stent thrombosis. Another patient died 5 weeks later from non-ischaemic end stage heart failure secondary to severe aortic regurgitation. Loop seperations occurred in 2 stents (5.8%) during deployment.Conclusions The Cordis stent implantation is efficacious with high angiographic success rate. The strong radiopacity facilitates precise positioning of the stent in the target lesions. Our experience in the Chinese population is favourable. Stent deformity was possible. For smaller stents of 3 mm, higher pressure of balloon inflation for deployment followed by adequate anticoagulation is recommended. Further studies are required to investigate the long term restenosis rate.